Dermal fillers vs Classic HA
Not all fillers are the same. The filler category encompasses products with very different mechanisms, longevity, reversibility profiles and clinical applications. Understanding these differences is essential for selecting the right product for each patient and each anatomical zone.
Individual product pages: Sculptra · Ellansé · Radiesse · Deusaderm (injected collagen).
Classic HA Fillers
Hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers are the most commonly used dermal fillers globally. They provide immediate volume correction, are reversible with hyaluronidase, and last 9–18 months depending on the product and zone. Classic HA fillers work primarily through physical volume replacement — they do not significantly stimulate collagen production.
Radiesse — Calcium Hydroxylapatite
Radiesse is composed of calcium hydroxylapatite microspheres suspended in a gel carrier. It provides immediate volume and also acts as a biostimulator — the microsphere scaffold stimulates the patient's own collagen production. Results typically last 18–24 months, and Radiesse is particularly effective for structural support (nose, chin, jawline, forehead, hands).
Ellanse — Polycaprolactone
Ellanse uses polycaprolactone (PCL) microspheres, which biostimulate collagen even more substantially than Radiesse. Available in 1, 2, 3 and 4-year formulations, Ellanse provides sustained collagen stimulation long after the initial volume has resolved — making it particularly suitable for patients seeking long-term structural regeneration.
Dr Sin Yong uses Radiesse and Ellanse as his primary filler products for structural zones — nose, chin, forehead, and hands. HA fillers are reserved for zones requiring precision soft-tissue correction (lips, tear troughs) where reversibility is paramount.
